CEOs under 25: Shama Hyder

July 9, 7:57 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

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CEOs Under 25 is an occasional, ongoing series about inspirational young executives and how they quickly worked their way to the top.

Name: Shama Hyder
Title: President
Organization: Click To Client, LLC
Age at Which She First Became an Executive: 22
Current Age: 24

Heather Huhman: What is Click To Client, LLC?

Shama Hyder: It is a full service Web marketing firm. We specialize in social media marketing and serve a global clientele. 

HH: How did you become an executive at such a young age?

SH: I was always industrious and passionate about entrepreneurship. My younger sister recalls that as a kid I was constantly starting businesses—and making her help! Being an executive was just the next step.

HH: What challenges did you face getting to this point, and how did you overcome them?

SH: The greatest challenge was starting the company at 22! I was afraid of the reaction I’d get from clients when they found out a 22-year-old was in charge of their online marketing. However, I later found out that our clients actually saw my age as an asset. Many confessed that one of the reasons they hired us was because someone my age was at the helm. They wanted someone who “grew up” with the Internet.

HH: Is there anything you would have done differently, if you could do everything over again?

SH: Niche earlier. We started as a general consulting firm, and I really resisted it when clients introduced me as a social media expert, or referred to Click To Client as their online marketing company. Eventually, I learned to embrace our strengths and not try to be all things to all people. Now, we focus on what we do best—Web marketing.

HH: What advice do you have for others looking to follow in your footsteps?

SH: Always focus on your key strengths. Build your business and your brand around what you do best. Leave the rest to others. Also, invest smart. Bootstrap where needed, but invest in your own education and when it comes to hiring smart people.